The Ursuline College 4x100 meter team ran an NAIA National Qualifying time of 49.25 seconds at The 24th Annual Toledo Invitational on Friday, May 2nd. The 4x100 team was led off by Mariea Parham coming out of the blocks. Annie Grindle came down the back stretch for the Arrows making up the stagger on the field. To keep the team in contention for the national qualifying mark, Kaelyn Hrabak ran a solid 3rd leg curve. Tanisha Williams, who has been anchoring for the team, brought the stick home for the 4x100 meter team. The time of 49.25 was good enough for a 4th place finish and places the 4x100 team in 26th position on the National List. The Ursuline College Arrows 4x100 team is the only team on the National List comprised solely of freshmen.
Annie Grindle also qualified for the NAIA National Meet in the 100 hurdles. Grindle had to come back with under an hour rest after the 4x100 to race in her event. She ran a lifetime personal best of 15.01 seconds in the hurdles. Annie's time was good enough to place her 7th in the meet and 18th overall on the National List.
Jessica Dingman the led the day off for the team racing in the 5000 meters and setting a lifetime personal best. Jess ran the most consistent 5k of her career completing her miles in 5:55, 6:17, and 6:20. She placed 6th in the race with a time of 19 minutes 10.68 seconds. Kaelyn Hrabak came back in the 200 meters for her second race of the day running a time of 27.48 seconds. The 4x400 relay team also placed at the Invitational. Grindle, Childers, Goans, and Williams combined for a time of 4 minutes 11.29 seconds to place 6th at the meet.
Coach Badway had the following to say after the meet. "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN ARROW!!! I can't even put into words the thrill this is for a first year program filled with only freshmen to go to Nationals. The 4x100 is the ultimate team event on the track, and to see such a young team accomplish what they did is just so extremely exciting. And to top off the day having Annie also qualify for the National Meet in an individual event just completed a great day. I am so proud of all of these young ladies and what they have accomplished this year.”
The Arrows next meet will be at Allegheny University on Friday, May 9th.
